Abstract

The San Diego Wild Animal Park maintains a herd of 11 Chinese goral (Nemorhaedus goral). They are housed in a single species outdoor exhibit 2.5 acres in size. A single adult male in the herd was noted to have a unilateral nasal discharge. Based on physical examination, hematology, serology, histology, and fungal cultures from nasal lesions a diagnosis of nasal cryptococcosis was confirmed. This male is currently under medical treatment for Cryptococcus neoformans at the Harter Veterinary Medical Center. A survey was conducted to screen the remaining 10 goral for the presence of nasal cryptococcosis. The survey included physical examination, complete blood count, chemistry panel, bilateral nasal cytology, bilateral nasal fungal culture, and latex cryptococcal antigen serologic testing. The survey showed that all 10 animals had favorably low or negative latex cryptococcal antigen titers. All of the animals appeared healthy with no nasal lesions observed. Two of the 10 animals cultured positive for Cryptococcus neoformans on nasal swabs. The results suggest that we currently do not have any goral in the exhibit with active nasal cavity disease. However, nasal colonization with this organism as demonstrated in two of the goral can be considered a precursor for potential future nasal cavity disease. Historic pathology records from the San Diego Wild Animal Park document previous cases of Cryptococcus neoformans disease in southern pudu (Pudu puda), Hartmann’s mountain zebra (Equus zebra hartmannae), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus).